The IP rights can be classified in:

– Innovating and when the registration is required: Patents (new and non-obvious technical inventions) and Designs (new and original visual appearance of object)

– Innovating and when the registration is not required: Copyright (literary or artistic works, computer programs) and Unregistered Design Rights.

– Branding and when the registration is required: Trademarks (distinctive sign distinguishing goods or services of one enterprise from another) and Other Signs (company name, domain name)

– Branding and when the registration is not required: Unregistered Trademark or name right or other (e.g. common law countries UK, …)

In case you would like to protect your invention with a patent and write yours, the first step is to search for prior patents. The methods to search patents are:

1. Search yourself prior patents. For more information see this web page.

2. Contact the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: IPI – IGE. They can provide assisted patent search.